Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated the Centre had issued an early warning to the Kerala Government regarding heavy rainfall and landslides on July 23. According to Shah, the warnings were extended for an additional three days, with a final alert on July 26 predicting over 20 centimetres of rainfall, which posed a significant risk of landslides and flooding.
In a speech to the Rajya Sabha, Shah addressed criticisms of the Union Government’s warning system. “Members have questioned the effectiveness of our warning system,” he said, “but I urge them to review the warnings that were sent to the State.”
Shah cited examples of successful disaster management in other States. He recalled that during a cyclone in Odisha under Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the Centre issued a warning nearly a week in advance, resulting in only one casualty. Similarly, Gujarat received a cyclone alert three days ahead, and no lives were lost due to timely intervention.
The Home Minister asserted that the Centre has invested ₹2,000 crore in its early warning system since 2014. This system provides alerts for various natural disasters, including rains, heatwaves, storms, and lightning. Shah noted that nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams were deployed to Kerala on July 23 in anticipation of potential landslides.
Shah questioned the Kerala Government’s response, asking why there was no evacuation of residents despite the warnings. Following the landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, the death toll has risen to at least 158. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also forecasted ‘heavy to very heavy rainfall’ in isolated areas.
